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Members of the public are raising concerns over difficulty finding popular baby formula brands, with NAN and Lactogen among products reportedly becoming harder to find.
Mariyam Adheela
Public concerns over baby formula availability. Photo: The Gentle Village
Male’: Concerns over the availability of baby formula are growing across the Maldives, with members of the public reporting difficulties finding several commonly used brands, particularly Stage 1 formula.
NAN, Lactogen and Enfamil are among the main formula brands widely used in the Maldives. The reported availability concerns have particularly focused on NAN and Lactogen products.
People have raised the issue on social media and in community groups, asking where they can find formula for babies and young children. Some have said they have checked several shops and pharmacies but have been unable to find the products they normally buy.
The concerns are not limited to one area, with people also seeking information about availability in different parts of the country.
The situation is especially concerning for families looking for Stage 1 formula. For babies who depend on a specific product, finding an alternative can be difficult.
One person said they had been unable to find formula suitable for babies with lactose intolerance in the Maldives and had to bring it from abroad.
Another mother, said she had to switch between three different types of formula because the product normally used by her baby was unavailable. She also raised concerns about the high cost of formula.
“As a mother, I can relate to this so much. I’m struggling to find my baby’s formula too,” a mother said in a social media comment.
She said finding an essential product for babies should not be so difficult and called for the issue to be addressed urgently.
The shortage is also causing concern among families who depend entirely on formula to feed their babies. One member of the public said they had been contacting MHA for more than two months while trying to find a particular formula.
Another social media user commented on Mariyam Shafiyya Steinhilber post said MHA had informed her that three shipments were at Male’ port and were waiting for clearance from Maldives Customs Service.
According to her comment, MHA was unable to provide a clear timeline for when the shipments would be cleared. She called for baby formula to be given priority during customs clearance.
Dheem Abdulla, another member of the public, said he had been contacting MHA every day for more than two months and receiving the same response.
“ it’s baby formula for God’s sake,” She said, questioning how families who depend entirely on formula are expected to feed their babies while supplies remain unavailable.
The comments reflect growing frustration among families who say they are having to search across different shops, switch between formulas or bring products from overseas.
Enfamil is distributed in the Maldives by ADK, while MHA is one of the sole distributors of NAN products. Lactogen is also among the commonly used formula brands in the country.
Despite the concerns being raised by the public, no relevant authority has so far issued a public statement explaining the reported shortage or confirming the extent of the supply problem.
Questions also remain over the availability of current shipments and whether delays in customs clearance are contributing to the shortage.
The Maldives Food and Drug Authority regulates food products imported into the country, while distributors and importers play a key role in maintaining supplies of baby formula.
The public is now seeking clear information on the situation, including when NAN, Lactogen, Enfamil and other commonly used formulas will be available again.
For families with babies who rely on formula, the issue is more than an inconvenience. The continued difficulty in finding essential products is creating additional stress for families already trying to ensure their children have a reliable source of nutrition.
